The "chief" darted to the port rail, for the _Sirdar's_ instant response to the helm seemed to clear her nose from the junk as if by magic.
It all happened so quickly that whilst the hoarse signal was still vibrating through the ship, the junk swept past her quarter.

The chief officer, joined now by the commander, looked down into the wretched craft.

They could see her crew lashed in a bunch around the capstan on her elevated poop.

She was laden with timber.

Although water-logged, she could not sink if she held together.
A great wave sucked her away from the steamer and then hurled her back with irresistible force.